HOMELESS dogs in West Devon have been given a generous treat for Christmas in the form of tasty dog chews donated by a Tavistock pet shop.

Tavistock Pet Emporium promised the co-ordinators of Sourton-based Dartmoor View Dog Rescue (DVDR) a donation of a dog chew for every new 'like' it received on its Facebook page in the space of 48 hours.

After overwhelming support from members of the public, shop owners Debbie Walsh and Neil Worth handed over a total of 452 treats for the dogs at the rescue centre.

Debbie said: 'We like to do our bit for helping out charities.

'Dartmoor View Dog Rescue came in to see us to put up a few posters around the shop and we thought we would do something for them — there are so many homeless dogs, we wanted to give them a bit of a treat.'

DVDR was set up last year by a band of volunteers who give up their time to help rescue and re-home unwanted and abandoned dogs throughout the South West.

Co-ordinator Pat Admans said they were really pleased to have the support of the shop.

She said: 'I didn't know they were doing it until I saw it on Facebook. I think it took them by surprise how many they would be donating.

'I get through a lot of treats to occupy the dogs and keep them from getting bored and we make and sell little Christmas stockings for dogs, so it will help to fill those up and save us from buying them. It is really good to have their support.'

A year after setting up the rescue operation, which runs from Pat and husband Ian's smallholding in Sourton village, the charity has seen nearly 100 dogs re-homed.

'It has been hard work but it is really rewarding. It has gone a lot better than we thought it would. We originally thought we would aim to re-home about 25 dogs in our first year and here we are at nearly 100,' said Pat.

'There have been some lovely dogs that have gone out to be re-homed — it makes you wonder why they are not wanted, especially the youngsters.

'I have just agreed to take in an 11-month old Malamute.

'I think people like the idea of having a puppy and then they get bigger and people don't have the space or can't handle them.'

At the moment, the charity only has six dogs looking for homes, including ones that are placed with foster carers, but they can have up to 14 at any one time.

Pat said that the charity has also had to fork out for some 'huge' vet bills with some dogs coming in in really bad condition and with a variety of illnesses, but she said it was all part of the job.

'It has to be done and Okeford Vets are brilliant. They give us discount and they do a lot of fundraising for us — they recently donated £1,000.'

DVDR has seen support from lots of other organisations and individuals, including a donation of 40 single duvets from a National Trust place in Devon that recently closed, which can be used for the dogs to sleep on, a donation of blankets, and Dartmoor Dog Training held an agility show, with proceeds from the raffle donated to DVDR.

The band of volunteers are currently busy holding table top sales at various fairs across West Devon in a bid to raise more funds and awareness of the charity.

For more information about DVDR or to enquire about the possibility of adopting a dog in need of a loving home, visit http://www.dartmoorviewdogrescue.co.uk">www.dartmoorviewdogrescue.co.uk

You can also find the charity on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DartmoorViewDogRescue">www.facebook.com/DartmoorViewDogRescue or contact them on 01837 861431 or 07773 401921.